1ST YEAR GENETIC COUNSELING STUDENTS UAMS
2015 – 2016
Andrew Bell, BS
Heber Springs, AR
Arkansas State Univ
Samantha Cassisi, BS
Shelby Township, MI
Oakland Univ
Claire Hacking, MPH
Salt Lake City, UT
Univ of Utah
Shawn Gessay, BS
Purcellville, VA
Dickinson College
Jamie Fisher, MS
Cleveland, OH
Wright State Univ
Brittany Henson, BS
Bolivar, MO
Missouri State Univ
Caroline Koch, BS
Butte LaRose, LA
Univ of Louisiana
1ST YEAR GENETIC COUNSELING STUDENTS 2015-2016 UAMS
Class of 2017
Andrew Bell is from Heber Springs, AR. In 2010, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with his B.S. in Biology from Arkansas
State University. Since graduating, Andrew has been working at Arkansas State University – Beebe as a Student
Development Specialist and Database Manager. He enjoys spending time with his wife and exploring the great outdoors.
He also enjoys swimming, traveling, and spending time with family.
Samantha Cassisi is from Shelby Township, MI. She earned her B.S. in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Oakland
University in Rochester, MI. Samantha spent two semesters volunteering at Beaumont Hospital's cancer genetic counseling
clinic and 1.5 years volunteering at Common Ground Crisis Center in Pontiac, Michigan. She also spent one year as a
research assistant at Oakland University's bioinformatics department and two years as the president of Oakland
University's American Sign Language club. One of Samantha's favorite experiences was working with Royal Oak Beaumont
Hospital's Patient Transportation Services. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, gaming, and music
Jamie Fisher is from Cleveland, Ohio. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Ohio University in 2012 where
she also participated in multiple research labs and competed on the track team in the pole vault. She went on to earn her
Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wright State University in 2014 where she worked as a research
assistant. In her free time Jamie enjoys weight lifting, Cleveland Browns football, and photography.
Shawn Gessay was born in Purcellville, VA. She began her undergraduate education as a student at Savannah College of
Art and Design and finished with a dual degree in Studio Art (BA) and Neuroscience (BS) from Dickinson College in
Pennsylvania. She has spent the last year in New York City working as an office manager for an Ob/Gyn. She loves music,
traveling, movies, and barbecue.
Claire Hacking grew up in Salt Lake City, UT and earned her B.S. from Purdue University in 2012, majoring in Genetics.
While at Purdue she worked as a research assistant in Ecology, volunteered at the local crisis center, and was an active
member of the Purdue Women’s Water Polo Team. After taking a year off Claire went on to get her MPH at the University
of Utah, graduating in 2015. While getting her MPH Claire had the opportunity to participate in a global health study
abroad in Ghana working on health promotion research. She also worked as a graduate assistant at the Huntsman Cancer
Institute conducting research on the long term care of pediatric cancer survivors. Claire has co-authored three journal
publications and one abstract. She is excited by the opportunity to teach, understand, and communicate with others about
genetics and its important role in our lives.
Brittany Henson is from Bolivar, MO and graduated from Missouri State University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in
Cell and Molecular Biology and two minors in Chemistry and Sociology. During her years at MSU, Brittany worked at the
local Ronald McDonald House. Brittany was in charge of maintaining an environment conducive for rest and healing for
the families of children undergoing medical treatment at the nearby hospital. Brittany spent a year working with the
mentally handicapped after her undergrad helping them to increase their basic living skills and become active members of
their community. Brittany loves people and is excited to become better equipped to help people. Brittany also enjoys
playing tennis, kayaking and spending lots of time with her family.
Caroline Koch is from Butte LaRose, Louisiana. She earned a BS in Biology and a minor in Psychology from the University
of Louisiana at Lafayette in May 2015. She graduated cum laude from the University of Louisiana's Honors College and is
an alumna of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She loves Crossfit, coaching volleyball, and her two furkids.